Expert: Vic Winnek - 11/9/2008

Question
Does a player have to sit out the next game when ejected from a game for fighting in the 4th quarter?

Answer
Sheri,
Thank you for your question.  The rules are different for the different levels of football (NFL, NCAA, High School, etc.) and for the reason the player was ejected.  An ejection for fight under the NCAA Rules mandates the players be ejected by rule for the remainer of the game and in certain parts f the game the player or squad member must sit out for the following game or part of it.

QUICK ANSWER - A "player" ejected for fighting in the 4th quarter must be ejected for the remainder of the game and the first half of the next game (if the next game is next season he must sit out for that game).   If it was his second fight of the season he is disqualified for the season.



NCAA Rule 9-5 states:
Before the game, squad members in uniform or coaches
shall not participate in a fight.

During the first half, players shall not participate in a fight.
PENALTY—15 yards from the basic spot or from the succeeding spot,
first down for Team B fouls if the first down is not in conflict
with other rules, and disqualification for the remainder of
the game.

During the half-time intermission, squad members in uniform or coaches shall not participate in a fight.

During the second half, players shall not participate in a fight.
PENALTY—15 yards from the basic spot or from the succeeding spot,
first down for Team B fouls if the first down is not in conflict with other rules, and disqualification for the remainder of the game and the first half of the next game.

For fights that occur in the last game of a season, squad members in uniform, coaches and players with eligibility remaining will serve fight-related suspensions during the first game of the next season for which they are eligible.

During either half, coaches or substitutes shall not leave their team area to participate in a fight, nor shall they participate in a fight in their team area.
PENALTY—15 yards from the succeeding spot, first down for Team B
fouls if the first down is not in conflict with other rules, and
disqualification for the remainder of the game and for the
next game.

For fights that occur in the last game of a season, coaches and substitutes with eligibility remaining will serve fight-related suspensions during the first game of the next season for which they are eligible.

Rule 9-5-2 provides: If the squad member, coach or player is disqualified for fighting a second time during that season, he shall be disqualified for that game and suspended for the remainder of the season.

If a second fighting suspension occurs in the final game of a season,
he shall be suspended for the first game of the next season for which
he is eligible. This suspension is considered to be his first fight of that season.


FYI:
Fighting is defined as: any attempt by a player, coach or squad member in uniform to strike an opponent in a combative manner unrelated to football. (Such acts include, but are not limited to:
- An attempt to strike an opponent with the arm(s), hand(s), leg(s) or foot(feet) regardless of whether there is contact; or an unsportsmanlike act toward an opponent that causes any opponent to
retaliate by fighting).

I hope this answers your question.  Thanks and if you need a follow up reply please feel free to ask.
Best wishes

Vic Winnek
NCAA Football Official